Mattru Jong Travel Guide

City City in Southern Province, Sierra Leone

Riverfront life organizes Mattru Jong: fishermen mend nets on the Jong River, canoe trips thread mangroves, and markets sell smoked fish and cassava for visitors passing between rainforest tracks and coastal islands.

Costs

USD 25-60 (budget to mid)

USD 25-60 per day, prices vary with services available.

Safety

Moderate safety, limited services

Relative calm now but limited emergency services; use common-sense precautions.

Best Time

November-April (dry season)

Dry season makes river travel and coastal access easier.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

2:52 AM

GMT+0

Weather

78°F

Overcast

Population

8,199

Infrastructure & Convenience

Limited roads and health facilities; ferries and river transport important.

Popularity

A regional commercial hub, not a mainstream tourist destination.

Known For

River port trading,local markets,fishing,palm oil production,mangrove-lined waterways,traditional crafts,regional commerce,historic wartime sites

Mattru Jong saw major activity during Sierra Leone's civil war and retains historic wartime sites and stories.

Why Visit Mattru Jong? #

Located on the banks of the Jong River, Mattru Jong gives visitors a close-up of river lifeways, fishing canoes and bustling riverside markets. Mende music and drumming echo in town during local celebrations, and seafood-plentiful cuisine reflects the estuary’s importance to daily life. Travelers come for off-the-beaten-path culture, warm community interactions and scenic boat trips through mangroves and coastal waterways.

Best Things to Do in Mattru Jong

Mattru Jong Bucket List

Don't Miss

Sherbro Island - Mangrove channels and sandy beaches reachable by boat from Mattru Jong.
Mattru Jong waterfront - Riverfront area where fishermen land boats and local trade takes place.
Bonthe Town colonial ruins - Nearby island town with colonial-era buildings and riverside promenades to explore.

Hidden Gems

Local fish market - Early-morning market selling freshly caught fish and offering lively local interactions.
Mangrove boardwalk - Short elevated walk through mangroves spotting birds, crabs, and tidal life.
Community craft stalls - Vendors selling woven baskets, beads, and handcrafted souvenirs from local artisans.

Day Trips

Bonthe Town (island) - Historic island town across the estuary with colonial buildings and laid-back streets.
Sherbro Island beaches - Remote sandy beaches and fishing villages perfect for swimming and slow exploration.

Best Time to Visit Mattru Jong #

Mattru Jong sits in a humid tropical zone with a strong rainy season from May to October that complicates overland travel. The dry Harmattan months make moving around and river crossings far easier.

Dry Season

November - March · 24-32°C (75-90°F)

Dusty Harmattan mornings, clearer skies, and easier road travel; daytime heat is still strong but humidity drops making movement far less miserable.

Hot Season

April - May · 25-34°C (77-93°F)

The hottest, muggiest weeks before the rains-oppressive afternoons, few tourists, and frenetic insect activity; time outdoor excursions for early morning.

Rainy Season

June - October · 24-30°C (75-86°F)

Heavy, persistent rains turn rivers into the main highways; expect flooded tracks, spectacular greenery and limited road access yet fewer crowds.

Best Time to Visit Mattru Jong #

Climate

Mattru Jong's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 34°C. Heavy rainfall (3133 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit

JanuaryDecemberFebruary

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

39°

Warmest Month

15°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. The driest month with just 11 mm and mostly sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

21° – 31°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

11 mm

Rainfall

1.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.6h daylight

February

February is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Light rainfall.

83 Excellent

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

22° – 33°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

23 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

11.8h daylight

March

March is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).

79 Very Good

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

23° – 34°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

46 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.0

UV Index

Extreme

12.0h daylight

April

April is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

23° – 34°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

104 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.2h daylight

May

May is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (236 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

31°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

23° – 32°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

236 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

12.3h daylight

June

June is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (429 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

23° – 31°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

429 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

12.4h daylight

July

July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (616 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

22° – 29°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

616 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

12.4h daylight

August

August is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (609 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

22° – 29°

90%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

609 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

12.2h daylight

September

September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (534 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

22° – 30°

90%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

534 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (316 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

22° – 31°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

316 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

11.8h daylight

November

November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (164 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

22° – 31°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

164 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.7h daylight

December

December is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

22° – 31°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

45 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

11.6h daylight

How to Get to Mattru Jong

By Air

By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Mattru Jong #

In Mattru Jong most getting around is on foot within town. Motorbike taxis (okadas) and shared taxis serve local journeys and connections to surrounding villages; schedules are informal and fares are modest. Boat transport on nearby waterways can be used for riverside communities in the wet season. For longer trips, expect basic road travel and allow extra time for connections.

Where to Stay in Mattru Jong #

Budget

Mattru Jong / Bonthe District - $5-20/night

Mattru Jong has very basic lodging and limited services. Budget travellers should expect simple guesthouses or sleep in regional centres with better facilities.

Mid-Range

Bonthe / regional towns - $25-70/night

Mid-range options are scarce locally. Most visitors stay in larger regional towns with modest hotels and return to Mattru Jong for day visits.

Luxury

Freetown (base) - $100+/night

No luxury accommodation in Mattru Jong. Travelers seeking higher comfort should arrange stays in Freetown before travelling inland to the district.

Where to Eat in Mattru Jong #

Nightlife in Mattru Jong #

Evening life is quiet with few formal nightlife options. Social activity tends to happen in local eateries and community gatherings rather than standalone bars or clubs.

Shopping in Mattru Jong #

Shopping is focused on local markets and small traders offering food, household items and basic goods. There are no large shopping centres; for specialized items you’ll need to travel to larger regional towns.

Nearby Cities #